Administration of ketoprofen in postpartum sows to control the incidence of post-parturient disorders and improve piglet survival rate

Abstract

Objective: Inflammation and pain management in postpartum hyperprolific sows is currently an important animal welfare issue in the swine industry. The present study investigates effects of ketoprofen treatment on the incidence of post-parturient disorders, feed intake, colostrum yield, piglet colostrum intake, colostrum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and piglet mortality rate during the first 3 days of postnatal life.Methods: In total, 61 Danish Landrace×Yorkshire crossbred sows and their offspring (n = 833) were included in the experiment. The sows were randomly distributed into two groups: i) control (n = 31), sows were treated with tolfenamic acid 2 mg per kg for 2 days postpartum; ii) ketoprofen (n = 30), sows were treated with ketoprofen 3 mg per kg for 2 days postpartum. The farrowing process of the sows was monitored for 24 h daily, and data associated with farrowing were collected. Piglet colostrum intake, sow colostrum yield and colostrum IgG were determined.Results: During the first 3 days postpartum, the incidence of sows that had fever did not differ between control and ketoprofen groups (51.6% and 56.7%, respectively, p = 0.692). Piglet colostrum intake did not differ between control and ketoprofen groups (p = 0.736). However, the proportions of piglets that had inadequate colostrum intake were 71.3%, 22.6%, and 5.4% in those with birth weights of <1.0 kg, 1.0 to 1.29 kg, and ≥1.30 kg, respectively (p<0.001). The piglet mortality rate did not differ between control and ketoprofen groups (p = 0.808).Conclusion: Administration of ketoprofen in postpartum sows for 2 days can control the evidence of post-parturient disorders in sows as effectively as the use of tolfenamic acid. No deleterious effect of ketoprofen was detected on sow colostrum yield, piglet colostrum intake and piglet mortality. Therefore, ketoprofen can be recommended as an alternative anti-inflammatory drug used in postpartum sows.

Supplementing a carbohydrate-rich diet from late lactation to insemination increased glucose and insulin levels in weaned sows, leading to improved subsequent piglet birth weight

“…These lighter piglets consumed less colostrum compared to those weighing over 1,300 g, with up to 45.6% experiencing inadequate colostrum intake [ 12 ]. These findings indicate a close relationship between piglet birth weight, colostrum consumption, and preweaning mortality in hyperprolific sows [ 7 , 11 , 12 , 18 ]. Therefore, improving piglet birth weight can play an important role in enhancing piglet colostrum intake and, hence, minimizing piglet preweaning mortality in the modern swine industry.…”

“…Feed restriction during lactation results in a delayed weaning-to-service interval and decreased farrowing rate, which adversely affects the subsequent reproductive performance of the sows [ 19 ]. Moreover, in the case of low birth weight piglets, individual colostrum consumption is often insufficient due to high littermate competition [ 11 , 12 , 18 ]. This leads to an increased incidence of piglet preweaning mortality.…”

Impacts of Fiber Supplementation in Sows during the Transition Period on Constipation, Farrowing Duration, Colostrum Production, and Pre-Weaning Piglet Mortality in the Free-Farrowing System

“…This includes the use of a prepartal transition feed containing expandable raw fiber to prevent constipation. Additionally, the administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and oxytocin is also recommended in cases of postpartum dysgalactia syndrome [ 27 ].…”

The Effect of Maternal Probiotic or Synbiotic Supplementation on Sow and Offspring Gastrointestinal Microbiota, Health, and Performance

“…Limiting this inflammation can in many instances reduce the risk of inflammatory induced physiological and behavioural changes which would adversely affect the sow's performance and that of her offspring. To this extent, there have been a number of studies investigating the use of anti-inflammatory drugs postpartum, although results of these studies have been variable in outcome [230][231][232][233][234].…”